Bloomfield Township police believe this woman is tied to several stolen mail thefts in the area after she recently used stolen bank information at an Ypsilanti Target store.

Detectives may have a lead in an investigation into nearly 20 mail thefts in Bloomfield Township that was launched in January.

A woman who recently made purchases at an Ypsilanti Target store with bank information stolen from a local resident’s mailbox was caught on camera, and police believe she is connected to a larger ring suspected in the rash of incidents — and subsequent identity thefts.

The Bloomfield Township Police Department is asking for help identifying the suspect in the case. Those who know the woman in the provided picture are urged to call 248-433-7755.

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Bloomfield Township Sgt. Timothy Abbo said a total of 19 reports — some involving multiple victims — have been reported since the initial three complaints on Jan. 11.

There wasn’t simply one person involved in the incidents, explained Abbo — this is an organized group.

“Our understanding is that people will get paid to locate and turn over checks” he said, “so you have the people that actually take them, and they then sell them to another party, who commits the actual fraud.”

In May, several incidents were reported in Bloomfield Township. Authorities warned that the culprits were stealing outgoing correspondence in hopes of finding bank checks.

A May 1 post on social media from Bloomfield Township officials detailed that suspects were using the checking account number to make fraudulent checks or change the amount or payee information.

In June, an additional alert was distributed when another rash was reported.

Authorities said the suspects appeared to wait until residents placed mail in their mailboxes, and targeted mailboxes with raised red mailbox flags.

Those who mail their bills — a decreasing practice with the inception of online bill paying — should deposit checks, bills and money orders into public mailboxes, or at their local post office, officials said. Electronic bill payment should be a consideration.

Abbo said total losses to victims have easily surpassed the thousands.

“We put this out because we tried identifying this person through traditional means,” Abbo said. “This is just the last step in the process — we’re looking for the public’s assistance now.”

About the Author

John Turk covers the police beat and the Oakland County Board of Commissioners for The Oakland Press. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University. Reach the author at john.turk@oakpress.com
or follow John on Twitter: @jrturk.